Method and system for notifying mail users of mail piece contamination

ABSTRACT

A method and system for notifying users of a mail system that a mail piece has been quarantined is provided. A plurality of incoming mail mailboxes each include a sampler to sample air from a letter that is tested using a first sensor. Source information corresponding to hazard flagged mail pieces and other quarantined mail is utilized to notify the affected users of the mail system.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No.: Not Yet Assigned, filed on even date herewith,entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICALHAZARDS IN MAIL,” in the name of Robert A. Cordery, Ronald P. Sansoneand Karin A. Russo, assigned Ser. No. 09/683,379 the disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. This application isrelated to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.No.: Not Yet Assigned, filed on even date herewith, entitled “METHOD ANDSYSTEM FOR DETECTING BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL HAZARDS IN NETWORKEDINCOMING MAILBOXES,” in the name of Ronald P. Sansone, Robert A. Corderyand Karin A. Russo, assigned Ser. No. 09/683,380 the disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The embodiments described herein relate generally to detecting hazardsin mail and more specifically to systems and methods for detecting andcontaining contaminated mail in an incoming mail mailbox.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) provides a service of mail piecereception, sorting and delivery to national addresses and internationalpostal streams. The USPS processes approximately 200 billion domesticletters per year. The USPS also processes parcels. Similarly, othercourier services also exist that process letters and parcels.

Anthrax spores have been detected on mail pieces, mail-handlingequipment and in or near areas where certain mail pieces that likelycontained anthrax were handled. Several people that were in such areashave contracted anthrax disease. These attacks pose a danger ofinfection that may be lethal to those in affected areas. Additionally,there is no readily available warning system to provide an early warningthat a mail piece contains anthrax spores. Certain members of thegeneral population may fear receiving and handling mail due to thethreat of mail terrorism.

Anthrax is a biological agent that has apparently been placed in theU.S. postal delivery system in mail pieces that could be consideredcamouflaged as ordinary mail because they were not properly marked orproperly contained, as a dangerous biological agent should be. Theperson placing such mail in the mail system had the apparent solepurpose of delivering the Anthrax as a biological weapon to kill theimmediate victims and terrorize others who use the postal system. TheAnthrax has apparently been transported in spore form and in such asmall form as to enable it to float in the air. The disease known asAnthrax disease is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis that isknown as Anthrax. Anthrax is rod-shaped, and relatively large for abacterium at 1 to 10 μm in length.

The disease may be manifested as pulmonary anthrax or inhalation anthraxwhen a sufficient amount of Anthrax is inhaled. The disease may bemanifested as intestinal anthrax when ingested in too great a quantity.The disease may be manifested as cutaneous anthrax that is typicallyfound when an open wound or sore of a person has been exposed toAnthrax.

There are dozens of biological and chemical substances that arepotential hazards if placed in the mail stream. Additionally, explosivedevices have been sent in the mails in order to harm recipients.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one embodiment, a plurality of incoming mail receptacle deviceincludes a biological contamination detection system to determine ifmail inserted into the receptacle is contaminated. An air sample iscollected from an incoming mail piece and then processed though a hazarddetector to determine if the mail piece is contaminated. A mail piecesource indication is detected from each mail piece. In the event of ahazard detection indication at one incoming mail receptacle,notification information for all quarantined mail pieces in the mailreceptacle is transferred to a server that sends notificationinformation to the users.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing a prior art postal delivery process.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a prior art postal delivery process.

FIG. 3A is a top view of a mail piece.

FIG. 3B is a top view of a mail piece.

FIG. 4 is a perspective cutaway view of an incoming mail receptacleaccording to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 5A is a top view of an incoming mail air sampler according to anembodiment of the present application in a first position.

FIG. 5B is a top view of an incoming mail air sampler according to anembodiment of the present application in a second position.

FIG. 5C is a top view of an incoming mail air sampler according to anembodiment of the present application in a third position.

FIG. 5D is a top view of an incoming mail air sampler according to anembodiment of the present application in a fourth position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective side view of an incoming mail air sampleraccording to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a flattener according to an embodiment of thepresent application.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process for detecting contaminated mailaccording to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a networked incoming mail receptacle systemaccording to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process for sharing user notificationof a quarantine condition according to an embodiment of the presentapplication.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Anthrax has been introduced into the mail system as a biological weapon.Similarly, other hazardous biological or chemical materials might besimilarly transported in a mail system. Such criminal and terroristactivity provides a threat of cross contamination if entered into themail-processing stream.

The present application describes embodiments of a system and method fordetecting contaminated mail at the point of entry to keep it fromentering the mail stream. The United States Postal Service (USPS) isreferred to describe illustrative examples of a mail streams. Theembodiments are illustrative and where alternative elements aredescribed, they are understood to fully describe alternative embodimentswithout repeating common elements of other appropriate embodiments.

There are many incoming mail receptacle in use. For example, in theUnited States, the USPS makes available many incoming mailboxes situatedon public streets. Additionally, some public mailboxes are designed tobe accessible to a driver such that the driver does not have to leavethe car to place mail into the mailbox. Furthermore, USPS Post Officesutilize mail slots to receive incoming mail. Similarly, apartmentbuildings often have a group outgoing mail receptacle. Mail carriersalso pick up mail from residential mailboxes. There are also severaltypes of office mail delivery outgoing mailboxes in use. A departmenttypically has a mail stop area with a drop off area for mail to bedelivered to a post office.

Anthrax bacteria, bacillus antrhracis, has been described as a verylarge, Gram-positive, spore-forming rod of 1–1.2 micron in width and 3–5micron in length that form oval spores located centrally in anon-swollen sporangium. Typical paper has pores that average 10 micronsin diameter, while the width of a typical human hair is around 90microns. Letter envelopes are often not hermetically sealed and may beporous such that anthrax may pass through the envelope. Accordingly,anthrax and other biological and chemical hazards may escape fromenvelopes to contaminate mail-processing equipment that may crosscontaminate other letters. Therefore, a sealed letter may not confineany enclosed anthrax to that particular letter and anthrax or otherhazards may adhere to mail pieces. Some people advocate scrutinizingmail with excess postage or handwritten addresses. However, the relativeanonymity of required markings on a letter present an inherentdifficulty in identifying suspect letters to be scrutinized on the basisof the identity of the sender, receiver, type of markings used orpostage.

Referring to FIG. 1, a prior art mail process is shown. In step 12, amail system user will prepare a mail piece such as a letter or a card.The user may place postage on the mail piece using a stamp, meterindicia or permit indicia in step 16. The user then places the mailpiece in an incoming mail receptacle such as an incoming USPS mailbox instep 20. A user may also place postage on the mail piece in step 17 andthen bring the mail piece to a USPS clerk in step 22. A postal workerwill collect mail pieces from the mailbox in a sack in step 30 and bringthem to a USPS facility for an initial cull in step 40. The mail pieceswill then go through an AFCS process in step 42 to scan, OCR and codethe mail pieces. If the mail piece could not be processed by the AFCS, amanual sort and encode is performed in step 44. Thereafter in step 46the AFCS and manual streams merge for automatic sort processing in step46. Thereafter the sorted mail is transported in step 50 to a USPSfacility where it is resorted for a letter carried in step 52 anddelivered to the recipient in step 60. The user may prepare a flat orparcel in step 14. The user may place postage on the mail piece in steps16 or 17, but may pay for postage applied by a clerk in step 18. Theflat or parcel may be placed in a mailbox in step 20 as described above,or may be brought to a USPS clerk in step 22 for processing into aincoming tray in step 32. The mail piece is then placed in the initialcull in step 40 and processed as above.

Referring to FIG. 2, a prior art mail process for presorted bulk mail isshown. In step 11, a mail system user prepares presorted mail piecessuch as letter and cards. The user may prepare presorted flats orparcels in step 15, the mail pieces are prepared with permit indicia ormetered indicia with the required presort discount documentation in step19. The mail pieces are brought to the USPS business mail acceptancedock with the required documentation in step 33 to be placed inprocessing trays, sacks and skids in step 35. As shown in FIG. 2, themail is placed directly in transport in step 50 for later resort anddelivery.

Referring to FIG. 3A, an envelope is shown. Envelope 100 is marked witha label 111 for a return address and a label 114 for a destinationaddress. A postage indicia 116 is also shown. Referring to FIG. 3B, anenvelope is shown. Envelope 100 is directly marked with return address112 and destination address 115 with postage indicia 117. The envelopeis a number 10 paper envelope. The flap (not shown has a strip of gluethat covers much of the perimeter of the inside flap.

The present application describes embodiments that process envelopesthat are not hermetically sealed. The examination and study of manyenvelopes suggests that even very well sealed envelopes have fourcorners that are not hermetically sealed. The openings typically varybetween 3 and 10 mm. Squeezing the edges of a flat envelope will deformthe flat envelope into a pillow shape with air in the pillowed area. Theenvelope thus shaped is somewhat like a bellows such that maintainingthe force on the edges while squeezing the pillowed are will force airout of the openings. If the pillow is flattened from one direction, amajority of the escaping air will come from one side of the envelope.

The force applied to the pillowed area and the edges can be monitoredalong with any feedback to prevent crushing the envelope.

As can be appreciated, various forms of mail include many forms ofcorrespondence including bills, advertisements, governmentcorrespondence, periodicals and parcels.

Referring to FIG. 4, an incoming mail receptacle with hazard detector isdescribed. Incoming mailbox 200 has a front panel 201 containing a slot208 for receptacle identification cards and a mail slot 207 fordepositing mail, a top panel 206, side panels (not shown) and a backpanel 203 having a door 204 for access to life-harming materials, and adoor 205 for access to non-life-harming materials. Receptacle 200 has asampling chamber 210 that contains an image scanner 211 and a transportmechanism 212. When mail piece 100 (FIG. 5) is deposited face up in slot207, mail piece 100 will enter sampler chamber 210. The face of mailpiece 100 will be scanned and read by scanner 211 while being moved bytransport 212. Receptacle controller 213 controls the hazard detectionprocess and the hazard notification process. Controller 213 is poweredby power source 202 and is connected to communications device 220.Communications device 220 includes a cellular data modem. Alternativelyany wired or wireless communications device may be utilized. The controland power connections for such a system are well known and not describedin detail. Power is preferably supplied by a battery and solar powerarray.

An external door 219 with handle is provided to allow access to mailopening 207. A second door (not shown) capable of creating an interiorhermetic seal connected to the controller and provided to lock themailbox in case a hazard is detected. An internal door 215 hermeticallyseals chamber 210 during the test and then after a successful test, itopens to allow the mail piece to enter the inner chamber 214. Scale 238detects the presence and optionally the weight of the mail pieces in theinner chamber. Alternatively an optical sensor may be utilized.

The sampler described below will provide an air sample from a mail piecethrough vacuum tube 231 to sensors 232 using vacuum system 233 andfilter 234 to vent the vacuum outside the mailbox. As described below,sensors 232 provide a near real time test that is performed before themail piece is accepted and before the mailbox is cleared to receiveanother mail piece at the input 207. Additional sensors 236, 237 provideadditional test having relatively longer test times. In an alternativeembodiment, the mailbox stops accepting mail pieces at a predeterminedtime before a scheduled pick up so that the slower sensors 236, 237 canprovide an adequate test. For example, if there is a scheduled pick upat 8 o'clock in the evening, the mailbox will stop accepting mail 30minutes before to allow a PCR based DNA test of collected samples.

The mailbox is preferably hermetically sealed to contain any detectedhazards and completely opaque to visible light and other near spectrumsincluding Ultra Violet (UV) in order to prevent disruption of thesensor.

Sensors 232 include fast response sensors. Sensors 232 include anEndospore Detection System available from Ocean Optics of Dunedin, Fla.In an alternative, sensors 232 may include a laser-acoustic sensoravailable from the Office of Naval Research. Similarly, sensors 232 mayinclude an ultraviolet fluorescence bacteria detector from SandiaNational Laboratories described in Proc. SPIE Vol. 2366, p. 147–153,incorporated by reference.

Controller 213 will shut down the mailbox and close upon a positivetest. The controller 213 will then use communications device 220 toalert a response team.

In an alternative embodiment, Sensors 232 preferably include a massspectrometer detector for detecting explosives, narcotics, chemical andbiological agents as potential hazards. Sensors 232 include a UVradiation source and a fluorometer to detect fluorescent radiation inthe air sample.

In an alternative embodiment, the sampled air is forced into distilledwater for 45 seconds to extract any dipicolinic acid present, followedby chelation with terbium and tested for phosphorescence.

Sensors 236 include relatively slow test systems including a 30 minutetest PCR based detection system such as that available from Cepheid. Thesampled air is divided via sampling tubes into the reagent chambers ofthe test kit and processed. Alternatively, a DNA test system availablefrom Lawrence Livermore Laboratory is utilized. Alternatively, a systemfrom the Office of Naval Research utilizing lasers and acoustic sensorsis utilized.

Alternatively, the sampled air is forced into water and tested withwater test systems such as those available from Sandia NationalLaboratories of Albuquerque, N. Mex.

Sensors 237 include relatively slow test systems including a toxic agentsniff sensor available from Sandia National Laboratories of Albuquerque,N. Mex. and used for testing for toxins in water supplies. In analternative, an Immunoaffinity-based phosphorescent sensor is utilizedas described in Proc. SPIE Vol. 3913, p. 204–14, incorporated byreference. In another alternative, a system available from EgeaBiosciences of San Diego, Calif. is used. It was developed under a DARPAcontract using a DNA-chip and non-repeating markers as identifiers ofbiological hazards. In another alternative, a system available fromCellomics, Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pa. using living cell technology isutilized.

In an alternative embodiment, Sensors 232 include ion mobilityspectrometer sensors available from Sandia National Laboratories ofAlbuquerque, N. Mex. for detecting bombs.

The sampler system may be utilized in other devices that may be utilizedat different stages of the mail flow process. Sensors 232, 236 and 237are described as plural sensors, however, one sensor may be used foreach. Furthermore, each sensor device described may be preferred for asensor in device 232, 236 or 237, but may be used in any or all of thesensors 232, 236 and 237. An additional embodiment may use only one ofsensors 232, 236, 237 or a combination of two or more of them.

Referring to FIGS. 5A–5D, the sample extractor 300 is described.Referring to FIG. 5A, a first position of the extractor includes a firstenvelope deforming block 320 and a second envelope deforming block 322configured to receive a mail piece in a flat orientation that is notraised on edge. The blocks 320, 322 are shown in the open position. Themail piece is fed into the sample extractor using mail piece handlingequipment such as a continuous belt driven by an electric motor.Alternatively rollers may be used. Equipment for moving mail pieces iswell known and will not be described in detail. The mail piece, number10 envelope 100 is fed into sample extractor 300 in direction A. Sampleextractor 300 includes a vacuum collector 332 having openings 330 andvacuum tube 334.

Referring to FIG. 5B, a second position of the extractor is shown. Whena sensor (not shown) determines that the envelope 100 is in place, block320 is activated and forced in direction C and block 322 is forced indirection D such that edge 324 deforms envelope 100. The envelope 100will form a pillowed area 150. Flattener 340 is a squeeze roller rubberwheel on shaft 342 that is lowered into position over envelope 100 atthe edge closest the input of mailbox 200. The vacuum may begin at ports330 as air may flow in directions E, F when at this position.

Referring to FIG. 5C, a third position of the extractor is shown. Theflattener 340 is rolled forward in direction A to squeeze the air out ofpillowed area 150 while the vacuum collection ports 330 collect airforced out at E, F.

In a further alternative embodiment, the squeeze roller 340 is equippedwith a feedback sensor to determine if a hermetically sealed envelope ispresent. The force required to deflate the pillowed area 150 shoulddecrease if the envelope 100 is not hermetically sealed. In such a case,the detected hermetically sealed envelope is segregated for furtherscrutiny.

In another alternative embodiment, a vacuum is applied to all or part ofthe bottom of the envelope to hold down the bottom side. Any air pickedup by the vacuum is fed through the detector, as the envelope may beporous to a hazardous material.

Referring to FIG. 5D, a fourth position of the extractor is shown. Theblocks 320, 322 are returned to the start position to release thepillowing tension on the envelope 100. The flattener 340 is rolledbackward in direction B to re-flatten the envelope. The envelope is fedforward if the test passes and the flattener is then returned to a startposition for the next envelope. In an alternative, the squeeze rollerdoes not flatten the envelope o the return path B, but is lifted off theenvelope.

In an alternative embodiment, only one envelope-deforming block ismovable. In another alternative, the mail piece is fed on edge such thatgravity will aid registration of the mail piece and collection of thesample.

In a further alternative embodiment, the width of the incoming mailpiece is measured to set the position and distance between blocks 320,322 in a snug open position before moving them into a pillowingposition. The width measurement is performed using a series of lightsensors in a row at the opening 207 of the mailbox 200.

Referring to FIG. 6, an alternative flattener is shown. In thisembodiment, flattening plate 370 is forced down in direction G by link374 and force measurement device 372, followed by force on link 376 andforce measurement device 378 to flatten pillowed area 150. In thisembodiment, rollers 310′ feed the envelope 100 forward into blocks 320,322.

Referring to FIG. 7, an alternative flattener is shown to accommodatevarying width mail pieces. Flattener 340 is independently connected withlinks 346 such that any one, all, or combination of rollers 340, 342,244 may be lowed and rolled over a mail piece.

In another embodiment, a brush or scraper is used to sample a surface orboth sides of a mail piece. A source of forced air such as a fan may beused to move the sample closer to the vacuum sampling holes.

Referring to FIG. 8, a process for detecting hazardous mail isdescribed. In step 410, the process detect the presence of a mail piece.In step 420, the process imports the mail piece into the segregatedincoming mail sampler. In step 430, the process collects an air sample.In step 440, the process tests the air sample for hazards. In step 450,the process includes a decision step to decide is a hazard is present.If a hazard is present, the process provides a hazard indication in step470 and then ends. If no hazard is present, the process transports themail piece to the collection chamber in step 460 and then ends.

Position and presence sensors are well known and not described indetail. Similarly, force sensors and feedback loops are well known andnot described in detail. Controllers and timers are well known and notdescribed in detail. The processes described may be performed inhardware, firmware, in software on a general-purpose processor orcombination thereof. The controller may be a Pentium III mobileprocessor with support circuits and devices, but may include anotherprocessor and may be re-configurable and may be networked via a wired orwireless communications channel.

In an alternative embodiment, USPS clerks may use the devices describedabove at a post office counter. In such a system, several units may belocated in close proximity and may share common parts other than theactual envelope feeder. In one embodiment, a common controller mayservice four units that are networked. Similarly, a common vacuum sourceand a common power source may be shared.

In an alternative embodiment, a mailbox 200 includes an incoming chutethat directs mail into a plastic bag that the postal worker canhermetically seal for transport to a safe mail handling facility to testfor hazards. The mailbox identifier can be placed on the plastic bag. Inanother embodiment, the mailbox contains a store of plastic bags liningthe receptacle and a heat applicator to hermetically seal the bagsbefore a postal worker picks up the bag.

In an alternative embodiment, the incoming mail mailbox includes aparcel receptacle that contains a holding area that is hermeticallysealed and segregated from the letter holding area. Current USPSrequirements state that parcels weighing over one pound cannot be placedin incoming letter boxes. Another portion of the scale 238 may beutilized to ensure compliance.

In an alternative embodiment, the letter puffer or air sampler 300includes a feedback system to determine if the letter is hermeticallysealed. The puffer sensor tests the letter. If the feedback systemdetermines that a letter is hermetically sealed, it is passed through anUV-C ultraviolet surface decontamination system and segregated in ahermetically sealed envelope bin.

In an alternative embodiment, the air sampler includes a segmentedskewer that is utilized to penetrate the mail piece. One opening forcesair into the envelope at a first location and a second openingintroduces a vacuum to remove a sample of air from the envelope. In afurther alternative, two hollow tubes are inserted in the envelopeopenings to force in air and remove a sample, respectively.

In an alternative embodiment, the scanner is placed in front of theenvelope feed path to scan the top of the envelope. The scanner is usedto determine if the envelope is inserted face up and includes postage.If the envelope is upside down, it is ejected. If the envelope isinserted in the correct orientation, it is scanned and fed to thedetector stage.

In an alternative embodiment, the scanner is used to scan the entireface of the document.

In the embodiments described below, information is shared amongnetworked incoming mail receptacles, preferably using a central server.Additionally, if a postal authority maintains control of data from anincoming mail receptacle and other entities have relevant information, asecure link provides information interchange. As can be appreciated,more than one postal meter manufacturer may provide meter data to ameter provider or third party for use in the system.

Referring to FIG. 9, a networked incoming mail receptacle system isdescribed. Postage meters 510 are uniquely identified and located inknown locations. At least some of meters 510 are connected to network520 that is connected to trusted server 550. The network 520 ispreferably a secure internet connection such as a Virtual PrivateNetwork (VPN), but could be a dial up connection, wireless connection orother wired connection. Server 550 is connected to a meter database 552that stores meter data including service information and historicaldata. Database 554 includes source exclusion information. For example,database 554 includes data relating to the locations that should acceptmail from a particular meter. Additionally, the database contains othersource exclusion data such as counterfeit source designations, scans andhandwriting analysis of known hazards, return address or destinationaddress associated with known hazards and indicators of compromisedmeter numbers. Such a system provides advantageous flexibility. If acredible threat against United States Senators exists, all mail to suchpeople and their offices will be listed as suspect and quarantined atthe incoming mailboxes for further scrutiny.

Server 570 is connected to each incoming mail receptacle, 500, 501preferably using a secure Internet connection, but LAN, WAN, wirelessand wired connections can be utilized. Mail pieces 502 and 503 aretested, while users may be prompted for an identification card 504, 505for source verification.

Database 556 includes notification information. In this embodiment, theincoming mail receptacle scans each incoming mail piece and stores theinformation. In one embodiment, each mailbox 500 stores a scan of eachmail piece.

If a contamination hazard indication is received, the entire mailbox isphysically quarantined. The mailbox 500 then uploads the current mailinformation to the server 550. The server determines source anddestination information. For example, the server is programmed toperform an OCR of the scanned image of each envelope in the taintedmailbox. The server will then utilize database 556 to attempt to locatea known valid email address for the sender and the recipient. If a knownaddress is found, a notification email describing the facts of thequarantined mail including the mailbox location is sent. Optionally, thesender of the actual tainted mail is not notified. If an email addressis not found, the system attempts to locate a known valid telephonenumber. Outside databases such as telephone directories are queried. Ifneither a telephone number nor an email address are available, thesystem prepares a postal mail notification on a post card.

In an alternative embodiment, the mailbox detects a meter number forsource notification information.

Referring to FIG. 10, a process for notifying quarantined mail users isdescribed. In a system of a plurality of incoming mail receptacles afirst mailbox receives a hazard indication in step 710. In step 720, thefirst mailbox send notification to the server. The server processes thehazard notification in step 730 to determine notification data in anorder of priority of email contact, telephone contact and postal mailcontact. In step 740, the server sends the notification by the firstavailable method.

The meters are preferably DM300 digital postage meter available fromPitney Bowes Inc. of Stamford, Conn., but other meters including otherdigital postage meters available from Pitney Bowes Inc. may be used.

The systems described above require electrical power. Power supplies arewell known and not described in detail. A utility connection, a battery,solar power or other source of electricity may power the system.

The above specification describes system and methods for detectinghazards in mail. As can be appreciated, various combinations of theabove detection systems may be utilized.

The described embodiments are illustrative and the above description mayindicate to those skilled in the art additional ways in which theprinciples of this invention may be used without departing from thespirit of the invention. Accordingly the scope of the claims should notbe limited by the particular embodiments described.

1. A system of hazard detector systems for detecting hazards in a mailpiece and notifying remote users including senders and recipients havingquarantined mail comprising: a plurality of detectors each including acontaminant detection hazard detector for triggering a mail piecequarantine indication, an image scanner for scanning the face of a mailpiece, a communications system, and a scan detection system forproviding sender and recipient information for quarantined mail pieces;and a server connected to the plurality of hazard detectors forreceiving the mail piece quarantine indication and scan detection data,determining a notification method and for communicating the quarantinenotification to at least one of the sender and the recipient.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1 further comprising: a secure Internet connectionbetween each hazard detector system and the server.
 3. A method forcommunicating a quarantine condition to remote users including sendersand recipients of a mail system having a plurality of hazard detectorsystems with hazard detection systems connected to a central servercomprising: detecting the presence of a mail piece; detecting sourceinformation from the mail piece; testing the mail piece for hazards todetermine an initial mail piece quarantine condition; alerting thecentral server upon detection of a hazard and providing sourceinformation to the central server; determining a notification method;and notifying at least one user of the mail piece quarantine.
 4. Themethod of claim 3 wherein the source detection includes detecting adestination address.
 5. The method of claim 3 wherein the sourcedetection includes detecting a return address.
 6. The method of claim 3wherein the determination of a notification method comprises determiningif a valid email address is available for the user.
 7. The method ofclaim 3 wherein the determination of a notification method comprisesdetermining if a valid telephone number is available for the user. 8.The method of claim 3 wherein the determination of a notification methodcomprises determining if the mail piece address is a valid postaladdress for the user.
 9. A mail receiving system for detecting hazardsin a mail piece and notifying users including senders and recipientshaving quarantined mail comprising: a plurality of mailboxes eachincluding a contaminant detection hazard detector for triggering a mailpiece quarantine indication, an image scanner for scanning the face of amail piece, a communications system, and a scan detection system forproviding source and recipient information for quarantined mail pieces;and a server connected to the plurality of mailboxes for receiving scandetection data, determining a notification method and for communicatingthe notification to at least one of the sender and the recipient.
 10. Amethod for communicating a quarantine condition to users includingsenders and recipients of a mail system having at least one mailboxincluding hazard detection systems connected to a central servercomprising: detecting the presence of a mail piece in the mailbox;detecting sender information from the mail piece; testing the mail piecein the mailbox for hazards to determine an initial mail piece quarantinecondition; alerting the central server upon detection of a hazard andproviding source information to the central server; determining anotification method; and notifying at least one user of the mail piecequarantine using the sender information.
 11. The method of claim 10wherein the sender information includes detecting a destination address.12. The method of claim 10 wherein the sender information includesdetecting a return address.
 13. The method of claim 10 wherein thesender information includes detecting a meter number.
 14. The method ofclaim 10 further comprising: storing a plurality of sender informationrecords relating to a plurality of mail pieces placed in the at leastone mailbox; and if the initial mail piece quarantine condition isdetected, notifying at least two users indicated by the plurality ofsender information records.
 15. The method of claim 3 wherein the senderinformation comprises a meter number.
 16. The method of claim 3 furthercomprising: scanning the mail piece to obtain recipient information. 17.The method of claim 3 further comprising: detecting destinationinformation from the mail piece.